You know you’re not supposed to just sit around all day – but being on your feet is impractical. What’s the right balance?

Experts now have the answer! A new study found the exact time we should sit, stand, sleep, and exercise each day. And there’s plenty of time to relax, but we probably are doing too much of that already.

Here’s the perfect balance:

When it comes to sleeping, 8 hours and 20 minutes is what you want to strive for.

Sitting – 6 to 7 hours total. And for many who sit behind a desk and have a long commute to work, you’re probably doing way more than that.

Standing should be about 5 hours – and that also applies to walking around, not exercising.

When it comes to exercise, it’s 4 hours – that’s physical activity, and half can be light activity like household chores, the other half actual exercise.

Image Credit: dusanpetkovic / iStock / Getty Images Plus

If you work in an office building, you probably take the elevator to get to your floor – and chances are good you already know that it’s healthier to take the stairs.

Well now we know just how much.

Researchers have found that those who take the stairs rather than the elevator are far less likely to die young. And not by a small difference. Stair takers are nearly 40% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease – and almost 25% less likely to die from any cause.

The more stairs you climb, the better the benefit – whether that’s at home or work or even the mall – take the stairs whenever, and wherever, you can!

Image Credit: Bastian Weltjen / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Did you know today is Get Organized Day! If that’s not motivation enough to do spring cleaning, the fact that getting organized can improve your health might!

First, you’ll sleep better – if your bedroom is messy, studies have found your quality of sleep goes down.

Plus, you’ll also breathe easier – a messy home usually means you’re not dusting regularly, and some who think they’re allergic to pollen might just need to clean more.

When you have stuff lying around cluttered, your brain is visually overstimulated and it’s hard to focus on anything. And beyond that, clutter affects our mental health – holding or hoarding possessions beyond their intended use can affect us emotionally, physically, socially, and financially.

So, it may be a late start, but you can still get some spring cleaning done this weekend!

Image Credit: Kostikova / iStock / Getty Images Plus